In a shocking incident, residents of Sabo Market in Orile Igbon, along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin expressway in Oyo State, reportedly attacked firefighters who were trying to prevent them from illegally siphoning fuel from an overturned petrol tanker on Wednesday night.
The tanker, which was carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), overturned due to a tyre blowout, causing a fuel spill that led to a fire outbreak. Firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Service’s Ogbomoso branch were the first to arrive at the scene, ahead of their Kwara State counterparts, due to their proximity to the incident.
The Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, revealed that their colleagues from Oyo State faced violent resistance while trying to contain the fire and prevent further danger.
“It is deeply concerning that the firefighters were attacked with stones, resulting in severe damage to their fire truck, including a shattered windscreen,” Adekunle said. “In the face of this hostility, they had to seek refuge at Owode Police Station.”
Despite the aggression from the crowd, the firefighters continued their efforts and managed to prevent a larger disaster.
“Through their swift and coordinated response, over 10,000 litres of PMS were safely transferred to another tanker, minimizing potential hazards,” Adekunle added. “Fortunately, no lives were lost.”
The Kwara State Fire Service has strongly condemned the attack and warned that anyone found guilty of assaulting emergency responders will face legal consequences. They emphasized that firefighters risk their lives to protect people and property, and any form of violence against them is unacceptable.
Authorities have urged residents to refrain from dangerous acts such as fuel siphoning, which not only endangers their lives but also hampers emergency response efforts.
